EU countries sign up to blockchain partnership

Written by Peter Walker

13/04/18

The European Commission has announced that 22 European countries have signed a declaration on the establishment of a European Blockchain Partnership.

Signatories will exchange experience and expertise in technical and regulatory fields in preparation for the launch of EU-wide blockchain applications across the Digital Single Market.

Mariya Gabriel, commissioner for digital economy and society, stated that in the future, all public services will use blockchain technology.

“Blockchain is a great opportunity for Europe and Member States to rethink their information systems, to promote user trust and the protection of personal data, to help create new business opportunities and to establish new areas of leadership, benefiting citizens, public services and companies,” she said.

A statement explained that cooperation between Member States can help avoiding fragmented approaches and can ensure interoperability and wider deployment of blockchain-based services.

The Partnership is aimed at creating an “enabling environment”, in full compliance with EU laws and with clear governance models, which will help services using blockchain flourish across Europe.

The European Commission previously launched the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum in February 2018 and has already invested more than €80 million in projects supporting the use of blockchain in technical and societal areas. Around €300 million more are to be allocated to blockchain by 2020.